1
as in control
the ability to direct the course of something
for a time it looked like most of Europe would be within Hitler's grasp
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in grip
the act or manner of holding
during the roller coaster ride, my date clutched my arm with a deathlike grasp
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in understanding
the knowledge gained from the process of coming to know or understand something
I think I finally have a grasp of Spanish grammar
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to understand
to have a practical understanding of
he just doesn't grasp how important it is that he call when he'll be late
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to hug
to put one's arms around and press tightly
the departing soldier grasped his children a little closer than usual
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to hold
to reach for and take hold of by embracing with the fingers or arms
the attendant grasped my arm and steered me towards the door
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to know
to have a clear idea of
the emergency operator finally grasped what he was trying to tell her
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of grasp
Talia Ergas, Travel + Leisure, 22 Feb. 2025
Investors can start out by analyzing the contents of a fund’s portfolio, getting a better grasp of how many of the holdings are below investment grade and how many are simply not rated.
—Darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2025
Max Goldbart, Deadline, 24 Feb. 2025
Resch and the dozens of publications that received Rosenthal’s photos immediately grasped their significance.
—Sarah Holzmann, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grasp
Noun
My Aoyama has survived multiple safaris, the TSA conveyor belt, and even the unforgiving grasp of a two-year-old who borrowed it for playtime and threw it down on the pavement.
—Talia Ergas, Travel + Leisure, 22 Feb. 2025
Investors can start out by analyzing the contents of a fund’s portfolio, getting a better grasp of how many of the holdings are below investment grade and how many are simply not rated.
—Darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2025
Verb
But having previously said that streaming platforms did not grasp the nuance and specificity behind Mood when it was being pitched (the show was co-produced for BBC America), Lecky thinks Wild Cherry is more sellable.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 24 Feb. 2025
Resch and the dozens of publications that received Rosenthal’s photos immediately grasped their significance.
—Sarah Holzmann, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grasp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grasp
Noun
-
Have persistent weeds identified to determine the best control.—
Tom MacCubbin,
Orlando Sentinel,
1 Mar. 2025
-
Brooklyn also reacquired control of its 2025 and 2026 first-round picks from the Houston Rockets over the summer — a move that seemed to indicate the Nets expected to be picking high.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
1 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
But Ukraine has still managed to retain its grip on a chunk of territory, including the town of Sudzha, around six miles from the Ukrainian border.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
-
An optional Photography Kit can be bought to improve pictures, which includes a camera grip case, an external 2000mAh battery and more controls.—
Janhoi McGregor,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Importantly, don’t settle for surface-level understandings of what these mean to you.—
Michael B. Horn,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
-
Lilian laughed, but Dr. Fenton remained stern, only nodding at Lilian’s understanding.—
Yiyun Li,
The New Yorker,
9 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The real stories of the game and its people from someone who lives it and understands it better than any member of the media who has never played the game ever could.—
Jon Krawczynski,
The Athletic,
8 Mar. 2025
-
To better understand these temperature swings, the researchers plugged this data into a computer model they fine-tuned to match the spacecraft's landing conditions, including local topography and illumination.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Cena hugged him, but then followed a signal from the Rock to attack.—
Shaheem Reid,
Variety,
2 Mar. 2025
-
Cena, the 16-time world champion, hugged Rhodes, only to eerily smirk at The Rock while displaying a throat slash gesture.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes,
2 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
With Republicans holding slim majorities in the House and Senate, Trump framed the speech as an opportunity to rally his party behind his policies, even as tensions simmered within GOP ranks over recent moves on trade and foreign aid.—
Nik Popli,
TIME,
5 Mar. 2025
-
Democrats lodged protests throughout the evening, with one member getting kicked out and others holding signs in silent opposition.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
An small, undisturbed fishing town with untouched charm, it's not known to many—although word is slowly spreading.—
Mariah Tyler,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2025
-
What feels new is the expectation, on the part of both makers and audiences, that there is such a thing as knowing definitively what a work of art means or stands for, aesthetically and politically.—
Namwali Serpell,
The New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The ability to convey gratitude and appreciation in just a few words can resonate — proving that brevity can be just as powerful as eloquence.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
-
That means handing out praise liberally and finding ways to show your appreciation for them and make their day a little brighter.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
28 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grasp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grasp. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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